Top NFL Draft Prospects From The ACC
Nov 24, 2012; Durham, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs past Duke Blue Devils safety Walt Canty (4) for a touchdown during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Miami’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: RB Duke Johnson 5’9”, 196 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Chiefs’ RB Jamaal Charles 5’11”, 199 lbs.
If Sammy Watkins and Stefon Diggs are the most-explosive players in the conference, then Duke Johnson is a close third. No running back in the ACC has the homerun ability that this sophomore has.
Blazing speed mixed with solid shakes makes for a favorable comparison to the Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles. Like Charles, Johnson can score anytime he gets a handoff. Once he gets to the edge and throws it into fifth gear, there is no catching him.
North Carolina’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: OT James Hurst 6’7”, 305 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Broncos’ Ryan Clady 6’6”, 315 lbs.
With the great edge-rushers in the ACC, there has to be a special type of tackle to corral them all, and James Hurst is just the man for the job. Hurst is NFL ready. His decision to come back to Chapel Hill for one more season only bolsters his rank as the best tackle in the ACC. For a man that is 6’7” and north of 300 pounds, he moves exceptionally well.
His combination of quick hands and quicker feet make him virtually impossible to get around with a speed rush, much life Ryan Clady of the Broncos.
Georgia Tech’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: Jeremiah Attaochu 6’3”, 245 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Broncos’ Von Miller 6’3”, 250 lbs.
Speaking of speed rusher, GT’s Jeremiah Attaochu is one of the ACC’s best. He will be switching from a 3-4 outside backer to a 4-3 defensive end this year, but that should benefit the senior. Less pass coverage responsibility and more pass rushing opportunities should equal more sacks for Attaochu.
Regardless of his position, the guy is very crafty facing tackles. Spin moves, rips, dips, bull-rushes are all in his repertoire. He will likely revert back to an outside backer as a pro. The title of the best pure 4-3 in the ACC goes to…
Nov 17, 2012; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Alex Amidon (83) is tackled by Virginia Tech Hokies defensive end James Gayle (99) and safety Detrick Bonner (8) during the fourth quarter at Alumni Stadium. Virginia Tech Hokies won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: DE James Gayle 6’4”, 255 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Eagles DE Trent Cole 6’3”, 270 lbs.
…James Gayle of Virginia Tech. Gayle isn’t the pure edge rusher that Attaochu is, but he makes up for it for being stout against the run and pass alike. Like Trent Cole of the Eagles, Gayle is best when engaging a lineman, shedding and perusing the ball.
Both players are very good at using their leverage to get sacks, or at least to get close enough to quarterback to wreak havoc in the backfield.
Pittsburgh’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: WR Devin Street 6’4, 195 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Paclers’ WR Jordy Nelson 6’3”, 217 lbs.
One of the newcomers to the ACC is also instantly one of its best prospects. The name Devin Street might not ring a bell, but that’s partly because of the ….ummmm…..sub par quarterback play at Pitt (sub par is the kindest I can get. It was that putrid).
Despite the terrible quarterbacks he has had to deal with, Devin Street has a chance to smash all of Pitt’s receiving records. He is long (6’4” and has a wingspan that doesn’t quit), has great hands and attacks the ball with the best of them. Street has a similar style to Jordy Nelson.
Both have great ball skills and while they aren’t that fast on paper, if you give them an inch, they’ll blow right by your DB for six.
Virginia’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: TE Jake McGee 6’6” 250 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Ravens’ TE Dennis Pitta 6’4”, 245 lbs.
Virginia’s Jake McGee is a little old-school blocking tight end with a little new-school out-in-space receiving tight end. All in all, he may be the best overall tight end in the ACC. In Mike London’s run-heavy offense, McGee has shown that he is more than capable when engaging defenders and holding his blocks.
But the junior’s real value comes in the passing game, especially in the red zone. Of McGee’s 28 catches, five went for scores (10 of Pitta’s 75 were touchdowns). Also like Pitta, McGee is athletic and has no trouble getting separation from slower linebackers.
Duke’s Best NFL Draft Prospect: CB Ross Cockrell 6’0”, 190 lbs.
• NFL Comparison: Titans’ Jason McCourty 6’”, 188 lbs.
Duke’s secondary, which consistently ranks amongst the worst in the country, features one of the nation’s best cornerbacks (sweet irony). Like Jason McCourty, Ross Cockrell is the lone bright spot on a generally bad defense.
Both corners have some shut down ability. The senior gets put on an island to check the opposition’s best receiver and hold’s his own with little help. Cockrell’s five picks in 2012 despite quarterbacks throwing away from him is a testament to how good he really is.